HBA-LJP H.B. 1716 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1716
By: Puente
Higher Education
7/20/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under state law, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San
Antonio is a medical school that provides biomedical education, training,
and research, and The University of Texas at San Antonio is a general
academic institution of higher education.  Sharing biological and
biomedical resources between these institutions may provide a bridge from
undergraduate to graduate work for life sciences students. House Bill 1716
creates and establishes the San Antonio Life Science Institute to develop
joint degree programs and joint research programs in the life sciences. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1716 amends the Education Code to authorize the board of regents
of The University of Texas System (board) to establish and maintain the San
Antonio Life Sciences Institute (institute),  as a joint partnership of The
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (health science
center) and The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).  The bill
requires the institute to specialize in the research and teaching of life
sciences and to develop joint degree programs and joint research programs
for the health science center and UTSA. 

The bill authorizes the institute to accept gifts, grants, and donations
for the purposes of the program and to develop or use land, buildings,
equipment, facilities, and other improvements in connection with the
program.  The bill requires the institute to seek private, local, and
federal funding to support the operation and management of the institute.
The bill also requires the institute to retain all indirect costs received
or recovered under a grant or contract.  The bill sets forth provisions
regarding the administration of the institute, the joint appointment of
faculty and other personnel, and the salary of persons receiving a joint
appointment. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.